Head Coach Ewen McKenzie has named 18-year-old Rob Horne in the HSBC Waratahs squad for Friday’s Super 14 local derby with the ACT Brumbies.
The NSWRU Media Unit reports that Horne is on standby for fullback Lachie Turner who injured his shoulder in Saturday’s victory over the Highlanders.
In his first year of senior Rugby, the exciting Southern Districts centre was impressive during the pre-season with the Waratahs and was recently rewarded with a place in the Australian Sevens squad.
“Lachie hass a good chance of playing, but if his shoulder doesn’t come through Rob will be ready to go,” said McKenzie.
“Rob played really well in the trials for us and went to the Sevens in California a few weeks ago which was good for his maturity as a player.
“Whether he plays this week or not, it’s going to be good for him long term to be training with the starting XV.”
McKenzie has also bracketed Al Baxter in an extended 24-man squad, with his recovery from a round two concussion to be monitored throughout the week.
“We’re still pretty hopeful of fielding a consistent starting side again, but we’re preparing with a couple more players in the squad just to be safe,” said McKenzie.
“There’s still a bit of a question mark over Al [Baxter] and Lachie [Turner], but they’re both really keen to play and we’ll give them every opportunity to prove their fitness.
“This is a massive game for us, not just because it’s a local derby. The Brumbies are coming off two wins and we’ve got the bye next week, so it’s important for us to go into the week off with plenty of momentum.”
Starting XV: 1. Sekope Kepu, 2. Adam Freier, 3. Matt Dunning, 4. Will Caldwell, 5. Dan Vickerman, 6. Rocky Elsom, 7. Phil Waugh [c], 8. Wycliff Palu, 9. Brett Sheehan, 10. Kurtley Beale, 11. Lote Tuqiri, 12. Tom Carter, 13. Ben Jacobs, 14. Timana Tahu, 15. Lachie Turner/Rob Horne
Reserves: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17. Al Baxter/Dan Palmer, 18. Dean Mumm, 19. Beau Robinson, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Sam Harris, 22. Alfi Mafi.
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talk about scraping the barrel. next thing they will be hauling babies from cots before afl converts them. or that other poefter game cricket.
🙂
Well the Tahs and the Brumbies have each won 2 of their first 3 matches so it is going to knock one of them off their perch for now. What is your call on this game TT?
LOL @ TT…
Another tough one…but i think the Brumbies will scrape through by a few…
ness this game is the bata toughie of the weekend. waratahs went backwards last game (although fontein did have a shocker and ruined the game). on paper waratahs should win it as they have a solid side, but the brumbies gave the reds a smack so you tend to lean that way. but i go gungho so i say the experience in the tahs will take it from the injury ridden brumbies.
TT – I think the Tahs will take this one – but it will be close.
Did you hear the commentators complaining about JC? They said he wasn’t qualified to ref at this level.
“talk about scraping the barrel. next thing they will be hauling babies from cots before afl converts them. or that other poefter game cricket.”
TT the ironic thing is… the Aussies have far better quality backline depth than we have in RSA…
bryce they have far better coaches, not players. because rugby players are rare there they nurture and train the guys properly. sa feel that they don’t have to train because if the guy doesn’t work out there are another ten to take his place. only now are we waking up, only to realise we never developed coaches.
Ness i did hear them but i would not rate some of theirs any higher. steve walsh, deaker mmm real quality there.
TT – I am not a JC Fortuin fan at all – but I actually thought he had a fair game.
yeah i have not put him on my top 20 but the overseas presenters do like going overboard.
Like you say though – comparing him to steve, deaker, he all of a sudden doesn’t look that bad.
Talking about TV presenters – while not perfect – I think the quality of Supersport rugby commentators has improved drastically over the 2 years…before that I wanted to cringe and crawl under my couch at some of them.